The Problem of sin
Sin snares, entangles and trips you and me up.  What sin?  Any sin that reveals indifference to God entangles us.  The sin of “buying in” to what most people believe – the sin of ignoring, and rejecting the living God also entangles us.

(NASB) Ephesians 4:22 “…in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,”

  Followers of Christ, you have choices.  Choose to lay aside how you lived before you received Jesus as your Savior.  The effect of your sin corrupts and corrodes away your character.

The Solution to the problem of sin
Sins snare, entangles and trips you up – even Christians.  That is a problem.  And what is the solution to the problem of sin in your life?   Faith in God your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ is the solution.  He took the problem of your sins on Himself when He died on the cross.  Have you said, “Thank You” lately?

Confess by telling the Lord what your sins are and ask His forgiveness – you are forgiven.  He is the one Who forgives you.  After you confess your sins, your very real sins, you are not to purposely do them again.

(NASB) 1 John 1:9-10 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”

(NASB) Hebrews 12:1-2a “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus…”

To run the race of life – God says we are to endure.  This race is an endurance race which requires reliance on God to give us stamina, strength and the desire to steadily move forward in each of our “todays.”

Take it to heart ~

(NASB) Ephesians 4:23 “and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,”

God’s word promises that He will renew you in the spirit of your mind.  You are to put on the new self, given to you by the Holy Spirit when you received Jesus into your life.  The “new self” is created in righteousness (God’s righteousness, never your own) and the holiness of God’s truth.

(NASB) Ephesians 4:24 “and put on the new self, which is the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

Just think!  God is making you into His likeness…you will never be equal with God, but you will become more like Him in character.  Blessing upon blessing!

Lay aside sin…because it entangles